Autoimmunity and Salt: Are You Low Sodium Yet?

Have you adjusted your diet to a low sodium version yet?  If not, you have another reason to do it as soon as possible.  High salt foods have been shown to raise blood pressure, increase the risk of edema (swelling) and numerous other health problems due to the retention of water caused by excess salt.  With the right amount of salt we are able to hold onto just enough water for our bodies to funcgtion properly and electrolytes to move to the body parts where they do the most good.  Reducing your salt intake is important for many reasons: a lower sodium intake has been associated with other health benefits, including a reduced risk of dying from a stroke, reversal of heart enlargement, and a reduced risk of kidney stones and osteoporosis.

If the risk of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure isn’t enough to scare you into skipping those super salty fries and salty snacks like chips, maybe a new study linking high salt intake to autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis would make a difference.  The specifics of how they are linked has to do with high levels of salt that produce higher levels of  T_H17 cells in your body.  These cells produce an inflammatory protein: interleukin-17.  I have recent experience with an autoimmune disease, hyperthyroidism or Graves Disease.  Antibodies are produced that cause the thyroid to become overactive, producing excessive levels of thyroid hormone.  Could this be caused by excess salt?  It is certainly possible and makes me want to look at my overall sodium intake.  Now I’m in a position of needing to take replacment thyroid hormone for the rest of my life because my body is attacking my thyroid.  Did my days of fast food and bags of chips and dip for dinner do me in?  Maybe and I’m lucky.  This is an easy autoimmune disease to treat.  arthritis and diabetes are much more difficult and painful.

It’s easy to have your blood pressure tested and to be tested for inflammation or water retention that can lead to health problems including heart disease and hypertension.  If you aren’t sure where to begin, check out a great way to reduce sodium in your diet: the DASH diet.  It’s not too late to start and you may have time to delay the onset of one of these diseases if you start today without the salt shaker.

Written by www.labtestingnow.com